Racing to Justice

While the world was rocked by the death of Fast & Furious star Paul Walker, Santa Clarita was left picking up the pieces of the horrible car accident that cause it. Driving over 90 miles an hour in a Porsche Carrera GT, the driver Roger Rodas hit a power pole on the corner of Rye Canyon & Kelly Johnson Pkwy.

Today a judge ruled in favor of Porsche in the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Rodas wife, Kristine Rodas. The suit stated that there was many safety and design defects, including the car’s suspension failing, that led to the death of both Walker and Rodas.

While the courts ruled in favor of Porsche in the case this morning, a separate lawsuit has been filed by Walker’s Father and Daughter that has yet to have a hearing. Jeff Milam, the attorney for Meadow Walker, put out a statement this afternoon to The Verge, commenting on the difference between the different lawsuits filed on this issue:

Today’s ruling by a federal judge in favor of Porsche Cars North America against Rodas has no effect on Meadow Walker’s lawsuit that is pending against Porsche AG, Porsche Cars North America, and Beverly Hills Porsche in Los Angeles Superior Court.

The issues in the cases are very different. The federal case was filed on behalf of Roger Rodas, who was the driver of the Porsche Carrera GT and was killed instantly upon impact. Meadow’s father, Paul Walker, was a passenger in the car. He survived the crash but was trapped and burned to death because of the vehicle’s defects.

A significant portion of the judge’s decision was based on his rejection of evidence because of missed deadlines and also a failure to sue Porsche AG, the manufacturer.

Meadow will continue the fight to hold Porsche accountable for selling a defective product that kills.

It has been reported by Kristine Rodas lawyer that she plans on filing an appeal.

Street racing is becoming an increase problem in Los Angeles, and has had lasting effects on the Santa Clarita area. Following the crash in Commerce in late February that left two COC students dead on their drive home from Disneyland and the fatal street race in Sand Canyon in 2012 that left one dead.

If you suspect someone is street racing or witness any suspicious behavior, please call Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station at (661) 255-1121.